LEIGH MR all but ended relegation fears with a tense 23-20 win at Walney Central.

Now only defeat by 50 points in both their remaining fixtures could send them spinning through the league trap door.

But it was ironic that, in a season of league struggles, Miners should should struggle against an ordinary and below-strength side.

The result, of course, was all that mattered - and the relief on the faces of coach Ian Taylor and his players told its own story.

Paul Daniels deservedly scored the crucial try, capping a fine show in his pairing with Mark Meadows, while the kicking of Chris Wilkinson (four goals and three drops in gusty conditions) proved decisive.

Miners dominated the first half with tries from Mark Sarsfield (pouncing on Wilkinson's deft kick) and Lee Lomax (backing a Sarsfield break).

Walney bounced back after the break, MR's lead looking decidedly slim after full-back Peter Sharp went off with an ankle injury.

But the Daniels try, following a Meadows pass out of the tackle, steadied nerves.

On Saturday, with nerves shredded, Miners travel to Lock Lane as they bid to improve their league position.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.